The central cause of the 1917 Russian Revolution was a combination of widespread discontent with the autocratic Tsarist regime, economic hardship, and the social inequalities exacerbated by World War I. The war put immense strain on Russian society, leading to food shortages, military defeats, and deteriorating living conditions. The discontent among the working class, peasants, and soldiers resulted in protests and strikes against the government. The February Revolution led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government, which continued to struggle. The subsequent October Revolution, led by the Bolsheviks, ultimately resulted in the rise of Vladimir Lenin and the establishment of a communist state.